Multimodality Management of Soft Tissue Tumors in the Extremity.

Most extremity soft tissue sarcomas present as a painless mass. Work-up should generally involve cross-sectional imaging with MRI and a core biopsy for pathologic diagnosis. Limb-sparing surgery is the standard of care, and may be supplemented with radiation for histologic subtypes at higher risk for local recurrence and chemotherapy for those at higher risk for distant metastases. This article reviews the work-up and surgical approach to extremity soft tissue sarcomas, and the role for radiation and chemotherapy, with particular attention given to the distinguishing characteristics of some of the most common subtypes.